Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the modern historical framework and factual background to understand issues going on in the United States and world today. The course will also help them develop the research, writing, and thinking skills to become informed citizens who are able to take action.
The course is organized thematically around essential questions. In each unit students will: 1) Develop a deeper understanding of events, themes, and concepts that serve as examples for the current world; 2) Apply knowledge of past events and themes to current events and develop informed opinions. 3) At the end of each unit evaluate how the essential question addresses the overall course theme (How to create a more perfect union) by creating a year long journal/portfolio entries.
Unit 1: Imperialism & War- Overarching EQ #5: How did the US become a super power?
Course Methods:
By the end of this year, you will:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the modern historical framework and factual background to understand issues going on in the United States and world today. The course will also help them develop the research, writing, and thinking skills to become informed citizens who are able to take action.
The course is organized thematically around essential questions. In each unit students will: 1) Develop a deeper understanding of events, themes, and concepts that serve as examples for the current world; 2) Apply knowledge of past events and themes to current events and develop informed opinions. 3) At the end of each unit evaluate how the essential question addresses the overall course theme (How to create a more perfect union) by creating a year long journal/portfolio entries.
Unit 1: Imperialism & War- Overarching EQ #5: How did the US become a super power?
- Unit EQs: What do Americans fight for? What should the “rules of war” include and have we violated them? How did the United States evolve from “isolationist” to the “world’s policemen” and is this shift helping or harming Americans and the world?
- Unit EQs: How has the growth of the US economy created the need for reforms? How does the federal government regulate the U.S. economy? How has technology changed the United States?
- Unit EQs: Why did immigrants come to the United States and what did they experience once they arrived? How have Americans historically responded to immigration? How have migration patterns affected the US?
- Unit EQs: How has each movement for equality built upon one another’s foundation, and what makes each unique? How have the diverse movements for equality shaped American society? To what extent have all Americans achieved equality?
- Unit EQs: What role have the youth of America played in changing American culture? How is American culture influenced or shaped by external events? How has American culture changed and stayed the same over time?
- Unit EQs: What is the president’s job, really? What makes a “good” president? How has the role of the president changed over time?
Course Methods:
- Reading from primary and secondary source material
- Lectures and note taking
- Class discussions relating to assigned readings
- Films and slide shows
- Homework including both assigned readings and written responses
- Individual and group projects
- Small group activities
By the end of this year, you will:
- Demonstrate and strengthen your ability to write formal essays/research papers.
- Compare/contrast/synthesize and analyze information.
- Exercise critical thinking and communication skills in formal and informal discussions.